Do You Need a Graduate Degree in Psychology?

Most psychology career paths call for at least a Master’s degree. And, career paths like Clinical Psychologist require a PhD or Psy.D.

The education you’ll need also depends on your state’s licensure requirements. You’ll generally need to earn a Master’s degree for Mental Health Counselor licensure and a doctorate for Clinical Psychologist licensure. You may also need to complete an internship and/or supervised clinical experience. Many clinical psychology graduate programs include these kinds of preparation.

What Does A Clinical Psychologist Do?

Some Clinical Psychologists treat specific populations – like children or the elderly. They could work in places like:

Schools

Ambulatory healthcare services

Government

Hospitals

Private practice

Graduates with a degree in clinical psychology could also pursue counseling career paths. Mental Health Counselors provide some of the same services as Clinical Psychologists. For instance, they help treat issues like anxiety, depression, and stress.

Clinical Psychologist Salary

Occupation

Average Salary

Employment

Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

$81,330

108,060

Psychologists, All Other

$93,440

12,880

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

$46,560

241,930

Counselors, All Other

$47,600

27,150

Top States for Employment: Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

State

Employment

Annual Mean Wage

California

18,250

$94,910

New York

11,380

$91,180

Texas

6,250

$70,060

Pennsylvania

4,800

$79,280

Illinois

3,990

$76,150

Top Metro Areas for Employment: Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

Top Salary Metro Areas in Virginia: Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists work in many industries. These range from home health services to private businesses. Industries that employ the most professionals in this field include:

Elementary and Secondary Schools

Offices of Health Practitioners

Individual and Family Services

Outpatient Care Centers

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

Popular Clinical Psychology Graduate Degrees in Virginia

Clinical Psychology degrees are reported by the National Center for Education Statistics under the category of Psychology.

By the most recent data (2013), 4,835 Clinical Psychology degrees were awarded to U.S. graduate students. A slight majority (51%) of these programs were at the Master’s level.

Masters in Clinical Psychology vs Ph.D in Clinical Psychology?

A Master’s in Clinical Psychology program could help you prepare for certain psychology career paths. Or, it could serve as a stepping stone to doctoral study. This program delves into the theory of psychology, plus techniques for clinical practice. You could also choose a concentration, like counseling, addiction, or gerontology.

Clinical psychology PhD programs dive deeper into the field. These doctoral programs are research-intensive but usually include both theory and applied practice. Expect to study skill areas like assessment, intervention, and psychotherapy. Practicums and internships may help candidates prepare for practitioner roles.

Some students earn a Master’s and then pursue a PhD later – or never. In dual Master’s/PhD programs, candidates enroll with a Bachelor’s degree. In these programs, you could pursue a Master’s on the way to earning your PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Clinical Psychology Graduate Degree Guide

Master's in Psychology

Ph.D in Psychology

The MSCP program explore aspects of human behavior, ranging from the social to the neurobiological. Concentrations like Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) could help students target their career goals.

The PhD is designed to help prepare students for goals in professional practice. It focuses on clinical skill areas like psychotherapy. The program features internship and practicum experiences.

You could also take courses in professional ethics, standards, and laws. And, students who choose a concentration pursue specific courses in that area. For example, you could delve into neuroscience or forensic psychology.

Some common courses in Clinical Psychology programs include:

Social Psychology

Personality Disorders

Research Methods

Child Psychopathology & Treatment

Health Psychology

Human Sexuality

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Problem Solving & Creativity

What Classes Will I Take?

Your classes may consist of core courses in psychology, plus electives and coursework within your concentration. You could take classes like:

Multicultural Perspectives in Psychology. Cultural identity influences beliefs, behavior, and mental health. This course could help you prepare to work with patients from diverse backgrounds.

Health Psychology. This course explores the role of psychologists in medical settings. For example, you could study sleep disorders, behavioral medicine, and biofeedback.

Professional Ethics and Law. Mental health professionals often deal with sensitive situations. This course covers topics like patient confidentiality, reporting of abuse, and professional behavior.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. This course discusses the theory and practice of psychotherapy. You could take a look at Freudian and Jungian models, among others. And, you’ll study contemporary, evidence-based techniques.

Personality Theory. This course delves into what makes individuals unique. You could explore motivations, emotions, self-concept, and how personality changes over time.

What Should I Know About Accreditation in Clinical Psychology?

You may need to graduate from an accredited clinical psychology program to pursue licensure in your state. (Check with your Virginia state board to learn more.)

Most accrediting organizations evaluate a program’s curriculum, adherence to industry standards, and improvement over time. So, accreditation can help you make sure you are pursuing a high-quality program.

How Much Does Graduate School Cost for Clinical Psychology?

The average cost of earning a graduate degree from a public institution is $11,617 per year. So, you might find programs both more affordable and more expensive than the average. Below, note the graduate tuition costs of four institutions with Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs as reported by NCES. We compared those costs to the typically most affordable and most expensive college options, also reported by NCES.

What are the Costs per Credit for Masters and PhD in Clinical Psychology?

Cost per credit is different for each college or university. State universities may have in state-costs vs. out-of-state costs. Below are a few examples of cost per credit as reported by institutions that offer clinical psychology programs.